© Mike Bentley (CC BY-NC)
© Mike Bentley (CC BY-NC)
50 Cents - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait - Australians at War - Tobruk
2015 year| Copper-nickel | 15.55 g | 31.51 mm |
| Issuer | Australia |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 2015 |
| Value | 50 Cents 0.50 AUD = USD 0.34 |
| Currency | Dollar (1966-date) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 15.55 g |
| Diameter | 31.51 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Shape | Dodecagonal (12-sided) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#76370 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 66% |
Reverse
Depiction of two Australian Soldiers manning a machine gun post & another in a trench against a background of the Libyan coastline including Tobruk
Script: Latin
Lettering:
TOBRUK 1941
50
Designer: Bronwyn King
Edge
12 Sided Smooth
Comment
The Royal Australian Mint issued this NCLT 50 cent coin as a tribute to the "Rats of Tobruk" In 1941, Australian and Allied forces sought to defend Egypt and the Suez Canal from the German and Italian Axis forces. To achieve this, it was vital that the Allies hold the fortified port of Tobruk on the Libyan coast. British and Commonwealth forces successfully captured the Tobruk fortress and held it against besieging Axis troops for eight months. With the Allies’ extensive network of trenches and underground tunnels, Nazi propagandist William Joyce tried to discredit them by labelling them as the "Rats of Tobruk." This nickname was reclaimed by the defending soldiers who wore the name with pride.This coin is part of the "Australians at War" 18 coin series being issued individually. Six coins were issued in 2014, Six in 2015 and the final Six in 2016.
All of the coins were issued in individual credit card sized coincards.
